Ligue 1: PSG remain calm against Le Mans ahead of the European thrills

Paris SG won at home against Le Mans (3-1) without difficulty on Saturday during the 6th day of Ligue 1 and calmly turn towards its first European clashes, against Manchester City first, then against Barça.

This success, the third in a row after a sluggish start to the season, allows the Parisians to temporarily move up to fifth place (11 points), just behind Lyon (3rd) and Paris FC (4th), who have the same number of points after their defeats during this weekend of the championship.

This victory took some time to materialize with a largely revamped team at the start, as could be expected after an energy-intensive international break, but was finally written in indelible ink after the usual starters entered the game.

Thus, Illia Zabarnyi, Lucas Hernandez, and Lucas Digne started in defense, the young Dro Fernandez (18 years old) in midfield, and Mika Godts in attack, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Désiré Doué, Vitinha, Marquinhos, and Willian Pacho were on the bench. As for Ousmane Dembélé and Nuno Mendes, they didn't even participate in the match, observing, as planned, a period of rest.

This rotation did not prevent Luis Enrique's players from making a good start to this "trap game", as the Spanish coach described it the day before, by opening the scoring thanks to a penalty from Lucas Beraldo (19th) after a handball by Harold Voyer.

- Akliouche shows up, but not Godts -

But as expected, Le Mans played a bold and spirited game, at times unsettling the two-time European champions, such as when Samuel Yohou shot just wide after a ball fumbled by Lucas Hernandez (34th minute).

That was pretty much it for a rather uneventful first half-hour, during which the action shifted from the pitch to the stands, when the ultras' section suddenly became visible. Shortly before, they had unfurled a banner in support of the student protests across France: "Your militias repress, our youth resist."

After several clear opportunities, Paris was caught off guard when Louis Mafouta, ideally served by Lucas Calodat, equalized (54th).

In the aftermath, Luis Enrique brought on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz, Warren Zaïre-Emery, with the immediate effect of the Georgian winger scoring, lurking after a shot from the Spanish midfielder was saved by Nicolas Kocik (61st minute).

This but may result in a renewed sense of confidence for "Kvara", who had a lackluster start to the season, after playing a decisive role in winning the second European star last season.

A few minutes later, another winger whose performances had been timid until now stood out: Maghnes Akliouche, who sealed the success of his team by scoring his first goal in Parisian colors (68th minute) with a nice strike at the conclusion of a clear action.

The former Monaco player seized the opportunity offered to him by Luis Enrique, whereas Mika Godts failed to take advantage of his first start by delivering a performance that was too neutral.

Subsequently, Le Mans (12th, 6 pts), promoted and having made an interesting start to the season, again worried the Parisian defense when Dame Gueye hit the crossbar after getting past Lucas Hernandez, and Matveï Safonov had to intervene twice (78th).

Désiré Doué missed a penalty opportunity to extend the lead at the very end of the match. However, this didn't prevent Paris from securing valuable points in the league and a victory that is equally important for their confidence ahead of some tougher upcoming fixtures.